Data for 2007 updated as of September 30, 2008. Data limited to those payments made during 2007 for medical malpractice claims for allopathic physicians (MDs), allopathic interns and residents (MDs), osteopathic physicians (DOs), and osteopathic interns and residents (DOs). Payments are based on physician''s work state.

Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of data from the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB), Public Use Data File (NPDB0803.POR), accessed 11/17/08, http://www.npdb-hipdb.com/PUBLICDATA.HTML.

Allopathic Physicians practice allopathic medicine (sometimes called conventional medicine): the system of medical practice which treats disease by the use of remedies which produce effects different from those produced by the disease under treatment. Osteopathic Physicians practice osteopathic medicine which focuses primarily on the manipulation of the musculoskeletal system and emphasizes preventive medicine while taking a holistic approach to health. An osteopathic physician is licensed to perform surgery and prescribe medication. An osteopath completes four years of medical school and can choose to practice in any specialty of medicine.

NA: Data are not available.

1. U.S. total includes claims for the Armed Forces (4) and Micronesia (1).